Laurier: A Study in Canadian Politics eBook

The danger of a profound division of the Canadian
people in war-time passed; but irretrievable damage
had been done to the cause of national unity.
In considering subsequent events these unhappy developments
of the first year of the war cannot be overlooked.
Party feeling among the Liberals had been held in leash
with difficulty; now it was running free again.
The attitude of the party towards the government was
in effect: “You have tried to play politics
with the war; very well, you will find that this is
a game that two can play at.” The strategy
looking to a future trial of strength was skilfully
planned. There was no challenge to the government
plans. It was given full liberty of action upon
the understanding that it would accept full responsibility
and be prepared to render an account in due time to
parliament and people. The tactics were those
of paying out the rope as the government called for
it. The attitude of the Liberal leaders towards
the war was unexceptionable. Sir Wilfrid’s
recruiting speeches—­and he made many of
them—­were admirable; and he did not hesitate
to point the way of duty to the young men of his own
province. Upon things done or not done the attitude
of the parliamentary Liberals was increasingly critical;
and the government, it must be said, with its scandals
over supplies, its favoritism in recruiting, its beloved
Ross rifle, gave plenty of opportunity to opposition
critics. With every month that passed the political
advantage that had come to the government, because
it was charged with the task of making war, waned.

General elections were due in the autumn of 1916.
It became a serious question of Liberal policy to
decide between agreeing to an extension of the life
of parliament, which the government intended to request,
and the forcing of an election. Two lieutenants
of Sir Wilfrid toured Western Canada sounding Liberal
opinion; their disappointment was obvious when, in
a conference with a group of Liberals in Winnipeg,
they found opinion solidly adverse to an election.
Their reasons for an election were plainly stated—­in
brief they were that on the details of its war management
the government could be, and, in their judgement,
should be, beaten. But Sir Wilfrid, with his
hand on the country’s pulse, could not be stampeded.
He saw, more clearly than his lieutenants, the danger
to the party of refusing an extension at that time.
A twelve months was added to the life of parliament
with a reservation in the minds of the Liberals that
the first extension would be the last. This meant
an election in 1917.